Murphy getting closer to podium in Missouri

Rolla, MO — In the chaotic sprint that marked the end of Stage 3 of the Tour of Missouri, John Murphy and Andrew Pinfold changed up their tactics a bit and both wound up in the top 10 on the stage. Murphy took 6th behind stage winner Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team). The winner of the Tour de France green jersey competition also took over the race lead.

“We had a lot of rollers and a tailwind on the run in to the finish, so it was pretty hard and fast coming in,” Murphy said. “Instead of trying to keep all our guys together to try a full lead-out and go head to head with the Columbia and Cervelo trains, Pinner and I decided to key off the other teams and freelance the sprint a bit. We got a bit separated in the last 10 km, but the tactic seemed to work a bit better.”

Coming into the final kilometer, Murphy was fighting for position, and with 300 meters to go, he was able to move himself on to what just about everyone would consider the wheel to be on: that of the race leader and winner of the first two stages, Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC).

“I was definitely betting on him,” Murphy said. “I was just going to follow him and try to come off his wheel when he accelerated, but he never really opened up his sprint. I think he got a bit boxed in and never got the chance, so that’s where I ended up. On his wheel.”

Cavendish finished 5th, and Pinfold 9th after finding Murphy’s wheel in the last 200 meters.

“I took a chance on following the fastest guy in the world,” Murphy said. “I’ll try it again tomorrow if it comes down to a sprint. And maybe I can get on the podium or even get around him for the win. But that’s the challenge for everyone in the world right now with Cavendish.

Thursday’s 109-mile stage from St. John to the state capitol of Jefferson City is another hilly affair, though not quite as rolling as today’s stage. While the stage’s profile would suggest another sprint finish, the steep, 300-meter climb to the finish line adjacent to the state capitol building may favor a rider more in the mold of Rory Sutherland.

Photo: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us